Malaysia: Dengue outbreak nationwide shows signs of abating

AUDREY DERMAWAN New Straits Times 18 Feb 16;

GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia’s dengue outbreak has shown improvement with the number of cases dropping.

There were 2,500 dengue cases last week compared with 3,500 the week before.

Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya attributed the improvement in the situation to the current weather.

"The Aedes mosquito breeding grounds may have dried off due to the hot spell," he told reporters during a Chinese New Year do at the Penang Hospital here today.

Dr Hilmi also commended Perak for its aggressive efforts in combating the dengue menace. "The number of dengue cases have reduced significantly in the state.

"We hope that all states will continue to take steps to combat the dengue menace once and for all," he added.


Kedah records a drop in dengue cases
MASRIWANIE MUHAMADING New Straits Times 19 Feb 16;

ALOR STAR: The reported number of dengue fever cases in Kedah shows a decrease to only 10 cases on the sixth week (from Feb 7 to 13) compared to 31 cases in the previous week (Jan 31 to Feb 6).

According to state Health Department director Datuk Dr Norhizan Ismail said in a statement the total number of dengue fever cases reported in the state since January 1 up to February 13 also shows a decrease of about nine percent compared to the corresponding period last year.

"A total of 141 number of dengue cases reported so far in the state since January 1 up to February 13, compared to 155 cases in the corresponding period last year.

"There were also no active outbreak localities identified or cases of death reported so far," he said.

Dr Norhizan also revealed that within the same period, three districts in the state show an increase of reported dengue cases while another 10 districts show a decrease; Baling with 31 cases compared to 13 cases last year, Kuala Muda with 55 cases compared to 28 cases last year, Pendang with four cases compared to two cases last year, Kulim with 17 cases compared to 35 cases last year, Langkawi with no cases reported compared to one case last year, Kubang Pasu with nine cases from 14 cases last year, Kota Setar with 20 cases from 32 cases last year, Padang Terap with only one cases from 10 cases last year, Yan with 84 cases compared to 13 last year, Sik with no cases reported compared to four cases last year, and Bandar Baharu with only two cases from three cases last year.

He added that the department has carried out various prevention and control programmes as an effort to combat the outbreak, including conducting checks to a total of 35,560 premises, conducting fogging at 44,796 premises and placing abate in 18,244 premises.

"A total of 296 compounds of about RM148,000 and 52 notices were also issued under the Destruction of Disease Bearing Insects Act 1975," he said.

He also urged the public to be concern on the dengue outbreak and to immediately get treatment should one experience any dengue symptoms.